Pope Francis Rocks As He Keeps Rocking the Church

Pope Francis was reported in the media today, asking priests and religious to practice a simpler and humbler lifestyle when it comes to their choice of cars and other modern gadgets. In part the report said: As part of his drive to make the Catholic Church more austere and focus on the poor, Francis told young and trainee priests and nuns from around the world that having the latest smartphone or fashion accessory was not the route to happiness. The Pope was quoted as saying: “A car is necessary to do a lot of work, but please, choose a more humble one. If you like the fancy one, just think about how many children are dying of hunger in the world.”

There will be those who will quibble with this message and will water it down with such remarks as: “Well, he did not really mean it that way.” Or, “It depends . . . ” Or, “The occasion and circumstances are different here . . .” Or, “We can be even humbler by using bikes or even horse carriages . . .” Or, “But this is just a gift from a devoted and generous parishioner . . ”  And then there will some who will read the message and then just file it away under the letter G, as in Garbage.

Many have also re-interpreted and watered down the radical and disturbing message of Christ so that there are some interpretations of the Christian message where it is difficult to see the face of Christ anymore. Looking around today, I see a world even hungrier and more thirsty for Christ’s message of love and service, of peace and brotherhood, of joy and happiness. But there are not too many who are willing to taking up the challenge. There is a great tendency to change and reinterpret the message to make it more palatable to an increasingly secular and agnostic world. Thus, the Pope’s message is very reassuring. Even in my life, I sometimes put boundaries on how I can be a disciple of Jesus. In prayer, I ask for wisdom to learn and understand God’s words for me and for courage and determination to live them out in my life. I want to be part of the harvest, usually a joyful occasion in the place where I was born and grew up.

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals.’
Luke 10:1-12,17-20